Proposed changes to Qld's Public Service Act could fuel management cover-up: Ombudsman

By Melinda HowellsUpdated
Fri 26 Jul 2013, 2:13 PM AEST

Queensland's Ombudsman says proposed changes to the state's Public Service Act could foster a culture of management cover-up within the Government.

Ombudsman Phil Clarke independently reviews State Government departments and agencies.

The ABC has obtained correspondence between Mr Clarke and Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie under right to information laws.

The letters relate to the Callinan review of Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission.

The Government is considering recommendations to prosecute people who make baseless complaints and released its response to the review earlier this month.

It says an implementation panel will provide advice on the recommendations.

One recommendation is to require managers in the public service to take all reasonable steps to ensure that staff under their supervision do not commit official misconduct or they could face termination themselves.

Mr Clarke says he doubts that would have the desired effect and the changes could instead lead to managers covering up misconduct or wilfully ignoring it.

Another recommendation requires complainants to fill out statutory declarations saying they understand the relevant sections of the Crime and Misconduct Act.

Mr Clarke says people should not have to seek legal advice before making complaints to the CMC and that it should not be the responsibility of citizens to interpret legislation.

He says the value of one genuine claim outweighs the inconvenience caused by a dozen trivial or unfounded matters.